Vishay-IR deal could end or turn nastyNews & Analysis 8/29/2008 Post a commentNow that International Rectifier Corp. has formally rejected Vishay Intertechnology Inc.'s purchase offer, the two companies must now chart separate paths or seek ways to revive the $1.6 billion transaction.

Court upholds ITC patent ruling against Linear TechNews & Analysis 8/29/2008 Post a commentA U.S. District Court of Appeals has affirmed a ruling invalidating a charge pump patent held by Linear Technology, according to a Advanced Analogic Technologies. (AnalogicTech), a provider of power management ICs for mobile consumer devices.

Rofin-Sinar, Manz develop PV production technologyNews & Analysis 8/29/2008 Post a commentLaser beam specialist Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc. (Plymouth, MI) plans to develop a new machine concept for the production of thin-film solar modules. For this purpose, the company has entered a strategic alliance with Reutlingen (Germany) based Manz Automation AG.

KLA-Tencor COO Kispert stepping downNews & Analysis 8/29/2008 Post a commentJohn Kispert, president and chief operating officer of chip gear vendor KLA-Tencor, will step down at the end of the year. The company also announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer.

Magma reports bigger loss, lowers full-year guidanceNews & Analysis 8/28/2008 Post a commentEDA vendor Magma Design Automation reported revenue of $45.7 million for the quarter ended Aug. 3, down 9 percent from the same period a year ago. Citing a difficult business environment, Magma also lowered its guidance for the full fiscal year.

How 'reorganized' is AMD?News & Analysis 8/28/2008 Post a commentAdvanced Micro Devices Inc's reorganization of its entire operation appears to be drawing to a close with the pending announcement of the asset-light manufacturing strategy but questions persist on how much the semiconductor company has changed and whether the steps taken were sufficient to improve the company's competitive position in the microprocessor and graphics IC markets. Will AMD complete one round of reorganization and have to immediately embark upon another?

Atmel rolls out 1.8-V 8-Mbit serial flashProduct News 8/28/2008 Post a commentWith a low-voltage operating range of 1.65V to 1.95V, Atmel's 8-Mbit serial flash operates at the same voltage range as many current and upcoming sub-90nm ASICs and processors/controllers, which allows system designers to finally create applications that can use a single supply voltage for all components in the system while also saving a significant amount of cost.

Is Sony Ericsson about to break up?News & Analysis 8/28/2008 Post a commentIn an interview with Die Welt online, Sony CEO Howard Stringer appeared disappointed with the performance of Sony's mobile phone joint venture with Ericsson. In the interview Stringer hinted that break-up or reorganization was possible if things don't improve.